Elon Musk's loyalty to Trump again opens up controversy, this time about Starlink. The satellite internet provider, which belongs to the Musk company SpaceX, has been involved in a hot debate among Italian politicians when Rome weighs his strategic alliances in the middle of the increasing tensions between Europe and the USA.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right league party is committed to choosing Starlink to ensure satellite communication for government officials, whereby the superiority of his technology towards the French rival Eutelsat is listed. Starlink has around 6,700 active satellites in orbit, while Eutelsat has a little more than 600.
“In Italian interest, it would be strange to choose a French company instead of a technologically developed and avant -garde system such as the American,” said the league in a statement late Thursday. Reuters reported.
Musk welcomed the comments. He replied “very valued” to a contribution to X that referred to the statement.
Breaking: The Italian deputy PM Matteo Salvini publishes an explanation in which the Italian government of Elon Musk's “most modern” Starlink is questioned in order to defeat French products with Chinese shareholders.
Salvini: Telecommunications security is fundamental, USA is a strategic partner … pic.twitter.com/ygcexpgihmm
– Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 6, 2025
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Meloni has considered to use Starlink to offer encryption satellite communication for civil servants in areas with high risk for some time. However, opposition parties have warned against relying on Musk's company – a problem that has increased by reports that the USA could cut Ukraine from Starlink if a mineral contract is not achieved, which may break off a critical tool in Kyiv's fight against Russia.
There are signs that Meloni also cools on Musk's company. Bloomberg Yesterday reported that the Italian government “growing doubts about the closure of the Starlink € 1.5 billion, in view of the escalating transatlantic tensions.
When Italy drop the proposed deal, An alternative provider that arouses interest in Eutelsat. The company's CEO Eva Berneke said on Tuesday that the company was in discussions with the EU about the expansion of its internet service to Ukraine and sent its shares 119% rise.
In an interview on Thursday, Bernke said that the company was also in discussions with Italy. However, Meloni's office announced Reuters that it had not yet accepted any formal negotiations with Eutelsat or other operators.
The debate is part of a broader discussion in Italy and Europe about reducing the dependence on non -European technologies for critical infrastructure.
Starlink is not the only musk company that is recently examined. The assets of his automotive company Tesla was also associated with his political maneuvers. New registrations of Tesla vehicles fell all over Europe last monthA trend that analysts with Musks role in the Trump government and his open support have associated right-wing extremist politicians. However, Tesla registrations were slightly up In the UK and the USA in February there is a victory for Elon.
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